Gregg Grant, the director for the Russellville Adult Education Center (RAEC) challenged his students, faculty staff and supporters to look beyond the traditional scope of adult and continued education.

In response to Grant’s challenge to become an organization whose students continually ask themselves how they can better serve the community, several new programs emerged.

The first being a new food pantry that will serve students who struggle to make ends meet and the community when there is a surplus.

“The food pantry is a way that our students can help one another and see the impact that has in the community,” Grant said. “Our teachers and faculty are also supporting the pantry and our goal is to have a surplus to share with a local food pantry after the needs of our students our met. Our students are taking the time to work on a GED to take that next step of employment and this is just one small way to help them complete those goals and take care of their families in the process.”

Grant said the holiday season is especially difficult for those trying to complete the GED or work on continued education and the food pantry will be there to fill in the gap that occurs when the school district is closed for the holidays and children rely solely on meals prepared at home.

Grant said the students have embraced the idea of helping one another and the idea of what it means to live in community with one another.

“While they’re working on their GEDs, they become a tight-knit community,” Grant said of the bond created at REAC.

“So even though our students are working to benefit one another through the food pantry, the concept of helping within the community transfers to volunteering and giving back to the community in a broader scope once they are more financially able.”

To encourage pride in a job well done and recognize achievement among studetns, Grant implemented the student of the month program.

Students recommend one another for the honor based on several criteria including, work ethic, attitude and attendance. Grant said the students of the month are the future employees of the month in the Arkansas River Valley.

Joann Adams was the first recipient of the award and said that being nominated by her fellow peers made the honor more meaningful.

“I actually nominated someone for it. It was fun to think of someone you respect and know that works hard to be student of the month,” Adams said of the award. “I was shocked when I won. I almost started crying.”

Adams received a certificate, a $20 Walmart gift card, three Taco Bell coupons and a USB that Grant said he would help Adams load her resume on to assist her in her future employment or educational endeavors.

Adams, 63, said she decided to earn her GED because she always wished she had graduated high school and wanted to be an inspiration to her family.

She attended a one-room school house on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma and now that she has taken her GED she said she’s considering college.

“There are just so many opportunities available to me now. I’m so grateful I finally made the decision to earn my GED,” Adams said.

Adams took the GED test earlier in Oct. and now she’s just awaiting her results.

RAEC Family Fun Day

Oct. 20

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Free hot dogs and water, Bouncy houses and games. Free and open to the public.